Amid shifting politics, can we build stable global health systems?
Jul 9, 2026 · 18m
Summary
Flora Lichtman interviews Dr. John Kengasong, founding director of the Africa CDC, about the Ebola outbreak in Congo and the U.S. role in global health. Kengasong criticizes recent U.S. disengagement from international health agencies while highlighting African leadership in the current response. He shares his career journey from Cameroon to the CDC, emphasizing the need for sustained political will and resilience in fighting diseases like HIV and Ebola.
Topics discussed
Sponsors: NYSCI, Progressive, and Alienware
Intro: Ebola outbreak and guest Dr. John Nkengasong
Current Ebola response and African leadership
The role of U.S. leadership in global health
Dr. Nkengasong's early life and entry into virology
Building HIV labs in Cote d'Ivoire and Atlanta
Creating the Africa CDC and career philosophy
Sponsors: Poster House and Con Edison
Lessons from the fight against HIV/AIDS
Pandemic memory loss and global health security
The necessity of political will in public health
Credits and closing sponsor message
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